Healing

Introduction

In this blog, we going to explore the profound impact that yoga can have on healing trauma stored in the body. Drawing insights from the influential book “The Body Keeps the Score” by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, we will uncover why yoga is a powerful tool for trauma recovery.

Understanding Trauma

Trauma is not just an event that happens to us; it’s an experience that leaves a lasting imprint on our body and mind. Dr. van der Kolk explains, “Trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way mind and brain manage perceptions. It changes not only how we think and what we think about, but also our very capacity to think.”

The Body Remembers

Trauma often manifests in the body, leading to physical symptoms such as chronic pain, tension, and other somatic complaints. Dr. van der Kolk states, “The body keeps the score. It remembers how we were overwhelmed and unable to fully process or escape a traumatic event.” This underscores the importance of addressing trauma through bodily practices, not just cognitive therapies.

Why Yoga?

Yoga offers a holistic approach to healing by integrating body and mind. It helps individuals reconnect with their bodies in a safe and controlled manner. According to Dr. van der Kolk, “Learning how to observe and tolerate your physical sensations is a prerequisite for safely processing your trauma.”

Benefits of Yoga for Trauma

1. Regulation of the Nervous System:
   Yoga practices, especially those focusing on breathwork and mindfulness, help regulate the autonomic nervous system. Dr. van der Kolk highlights that yoga can “activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of calm and relaxation, counteracting the hyperarousal often seen in trauma survivors.”
2. Enhanced Body Awareness:
   Trauma can cause a disconnection from one’s own body. Yoga encourages a reconnection through mindful movement and awareness of physical sensations. “Yoga cultivates an awareness of the present moment and one’s body, fostering a sense of safety and control,” writes Dr. van der Kolk.
3. Emotional Release:
   Emotions related to trauma are often stored in the body. Through specific postures and sequences, yoga can facilitate the release of these pent-up emotions. Dr. van der Kolk notes, “Yoga helps to unlock and release the emotions trapped within the body, providing an avenue for healing and integration.”
4. Building Resilience:
   Regular yoga practice builds physical strength and mental resilience, empowering trauma survivors to face challenges with greater confidence. “By practicing yoga, individuals learn to tolerate discomfort and develop a greater sense of resilience,” says Dr. van der Kolk.

Conclusion

In summary, yoga is a powerful tool for addressing trauma in the body. It offers a pathway to reconnecting with oneself, regulating the nervous system, and facilitating emotional release. As Dr. Bessel van der Kolk profoundly states, “Yoga is not about getting the poses perfect, but about using the poses to explore and release the memories and sensations trapped in your body.”